The Employee Benefits and Services Division (EBSD) has developed
a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide County of San Bernardino
employees and retirees with helpful information regarding the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act also known as Health Care Reform. As more guidance is provided
to employers, EBSD will update this webpage.

What is a Health Insurance
Marketplace?
Health Care Reform requires that the states either set up their own marketplace
to offer health insurance or have one set up by the federal government. Marketplaces
will provide a place where you can compare health plans and buy health insurance.
California chose to set up its own Marketplace called Covered California.

Covered California (http://www.coveredca.com/)
is the State of California’s Marketplace where legal residents of California can
buy affordable, high-quality health coverage. Covered California will conduct an
Open Enrollment from October 2013 through March 2014, with coverage effective as
early as January 2014.

How much is the cost of a
health plan under the Health Insurance Marketplace?
The cost of a health plan with the Marketplace will depend on the following:

Your household income

The level of coverage you need for you and/or your family

If you have health insurance from an employer or another government program

The plan you chose should you and/or your family enroll in a Marketplace plan

These same factors may also determine whether you are eligible to receive a subsidy
to help you pay for coverage.

What is meant by affordable
coverage?
Medical coverage is affordable if your cost for Employee Only coverage does not
exceed 9.5% of your income. Although family coverage might require a larger employee
premium, affordability is based on the cost of Employee Only coverage.

What is meant by Minimum
Value coverage? Does the County’s health insurance qualify as Minimum Value coverage?
A Minimum Value Plan is a plan that covers at least 60% of the total costs of benefits.
The County’s health insurance plans meet the Minimum Value coverage standard.

I have heard that Health
Care Reform will pay a portion of my insurance if I go to the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Is that true?
Depending on your household size and income,
you may be eligible for assistance. You may receive tax credits, cost-sharing subsidies
or Medi-Cal assistance. If you already have affordable insurance from your employer
or a government program, you may not be eligible for these cost-saving programs.

As an employee of the County,
how does this affect me?
The County medical plans meet the Health Care Reform’s Minimum Value and Affordability
standards. If you are offered medical plan coverage from the County, you will not
be eligible for a tax credit through the Marketplace. As a legal resident, any employee
and/or their eligible dependents may consider health coverage options under Covered
California since individual and family income and circumstances may vary and can
change throughout the coming year.

I am
NOT eligible to enroll in the County medical plans. Can I get coverage with
the Health Insurance Marketplace?
You may be eligible for health coverage under Covered California. Visit http://www.coveredca.com/
for additional eligibility information.

Can I opt out of County health
insurance if I enroll in a plan with the Health Insurance Marketplace?
The County is awaiting further guidance
on this topic. This answer will be updated upon clarification.

I am a former employee
enrolled in COBRA coverage. Can I disenroll from the County COBRA plan and enroll
in a plan with the Health Insurance Marketplace?
Yes you may consider Marketplace health insurance alternatives to COBRA. Subject
to household income requirements, qualified beneficiaries may be eligible for tax
credits, cost sharing subsidies or Medi-Cal assistance offered by the Marketplace.

If I disenroll from
County COBRA during my eligibility period and I enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace,
can I return to the County COBRA plan?
No. Once you terminate your COBRA coverage with the County of San Bernardino, you
cannot re-enroll to complete your original eligibility period.

If I’m enrolled
in COBRA with family coverage and I want to enroll my dependents in the Health Insurance
Marketplace, can I stay enrolled in COBRA as long as I am eligible?
Yes. You may stay enrolled in COBRA and change your enrollment level. Contact EBSD
at (909) 387-5787 for information on how to make a change.

Will the County continue
to offer retiree medical plans in 2014?
Yes. The County will continue to offer the same medical carriers and corresponding benefit plans in 2014.

I am a retiree enrolled
in a County Retiree Non-Medicare plan. Can I disenroll from my current coverage
and enroll in a plan with the Health Insurance Marketplace?
As a retiree, you and/or eligible dependents may explore your options under the
Health Insurance Marketplace. You can maintain your coverage in a County retiree
health plan or consider enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace. You will
need to compare benefit plan options, consider medical needs for you and/or your
eligible dependents, and evaluate your household income and tax implications if
any. Contact EBSD for information on how to make a change.

I am a retiree enrolled
in a County Retiree Medicare plan. Can I
disenroll from my current coverage and enroll in a plan with the Health Insurance Marketplace?
Medicare plans are not offered in the Health Insurance Marketplace,
including Medigap and Part D drug plans.

If you have a question regarding Health Care Reform, please email the Employee Benefits
and Services Division at
ebsd@hr.sbcounty.gov or call us at (909) 387-5787.